National Nursing Home Week: Visit Your Loved One at a Chicago Assisted Living Facility
This week is National Nursing Home Week. The theme for this year is Enriching Every Day. The week runs from May 9 - 16 and is for honoring those who add value to life at a nursing home, as well as to celebrate assisted living facilities and their residents.
In Cook County, Will County, Lake County, and DuPage County, our Chicago nursing home neglect and abuse lawyers would like to remind residents’ loved ones that not only is it important to inspect an assisted living facility prior to allowing your family member to live there, but it is also a good idea to visit your relative after he/she has moved in. In addition to spending quality time together, you can make sure that nursing home workers are providing the care and protection that your family member needs.
Signs that your loved one may be a victim of Chicago nursing home abuse or neglect:
• Sudden weight loss
• Bedsores
• Poor hygiene
• Heavy sedation or overmedication
• Severe depression or withdrawal
• Unwillingness of staff members to allow visitors
• Genital infections
• State of agitation or fearfulness
• State of disorientation
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Soiled clothing or sheets
If your loved one or other residents complain about the care or treatment they are receiving at the nursing home, it is a good idea to take what they have to say seriously. It’s also important to observe the patient closely even if he/she doesn’t complain. Is the resident exhibiting any of the signs listed above? How does the patient react when interacting with staff members? How do the nursing home workers treat the patient?
National Nursing Home Week, American Health Care Association
Related Web Resources:
Tips When Visiting a Nursing Home, Ohioline.osu.edu
Tips on visiting friends and relatives, American Health Care Association (PDF)
Do not hesitate to contact our Chicago, Illinois nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers for a free consultation.
